Happy August! This is probably my least favorite month of the year. Especially when I was in school and then when I was a teacher. The start of school is no longer a threat to me, but for some reason the end of summer sadness still hits me. To perk things up, I thought I would follow up to my last post about Rent the Runway. My experience with the site has been absolutely wonderful!

Back in May, I wanted to rent a dress for my 5th wedding anniversary. As a first timer renting, I browsed the site and picked out my top three dresses. I wanted something girly, white, and summery. I noticed an icon on the screen labeled “chat with a stylist”. I clicked on it skeptical of how long it would take to get a response. Since you can’t try on the dresses, it’s hard to know how certain styles and designers fit. I typed in my size and body type and top three dress choices and simply asked which one would be best for me. Within one minute I had a detailed response and I knew exactly which dress I would choose. I proceeded to rent my selected dress and upon checking out found out they were offering free shipping that day (roughly $10.00 off). I received two dresses in the mail. One in my size and one size up. The one in my size fit perfectly.

I was so happy with my first experience that I decided to rent again for a trip I was taking to Las Vegas. I received a promo stating that I got a free dress rental on any dress. If you look at the site, there is a range of designers and rental prices. Because I had a free rental, I wanted to go all out and get an expensive one! The prices range from $40ish-$400. I was surprised to see that there weren't that many dresses on the expensive side. To be honest, I was a little frustrated because there were way more dresses for $40-$50 and they were all so cute. I didn't want to waste a free rental on a $50 dress when I could get one for $400. What I love is that you can read reviews of the dresses and then you can also see real pictures of actual people wearing them, not just the models. This was extremely helpful.

Happy Monday! I hope you all enjoyed a fabulous weekend. I am always happy to have a weekend full of family and friends, but I still get excited to go back to work. As I was reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, 100 Layer Cake, a particular photo shoot really caught my attention. It was an engagement shoot that had just the right amount of sweet and sultry. I have to say that the clothing and accessories had a huge part in portraying that. As I went through to the end of the post to see where she got her stunning dresses, I saw that they were all from Rent the Runway. It made complete and total sense why I loved what she was wearing! I have never actually used Rent the Runway, but I’ve known several people who have. If you are not familiar with RTR, then it’s pretty simple. Here’s how it works…
*You sign up (it’s free), and browse the website. They have dresses and jewelry from so many wonderful designers. You can get the dress, jewelry, handbag, and even Spanx!
*You select the date you want your dress to arrive. They offer next day shipping. You are able to keep the merchandise for either 4 or 8 days.
*When you are done, just stick the dress back in the bag they provide and stick it in your mailbox.
*They offer stylist tips and advice to make sure you find the perfect fit for your body type.
*RTR sends 2 sizes in the dress that you order to make sure at least one of the dresses will work. You may even have a friend that can wear the other size, so maybe you can split the rental.
*RTR guarantees that the dress will fit. If for some reason it doesn’t they will issue a full merchandise credit.

My mind is spinning with all the ways that Brides can use RTR for pre-wedding festivities.
*Engagement shoots
*Bridal showers
*Bachelorette parties
*Rehearsal dinner
*After the wedding and reception

Here are some of the pictures from the shoot featured on 100 Layer Cake

I always seem to be rushing around at the last second whenever I have a birthday celebration to attend. Depending on the type of celebration, you have to figure out what to wear and more importantly what to give. Is it a milestone birthday? Is it a bestie or an acquaintance?

In honor of my sister’s 21st birthday this weekend, here are my suggestions on what to wear and what to give.

April is the perfect month for patio seating, cool drinks, and a good pair of sunglasses. A restaurant I’ve really been loving lately is Jasper’s in the Domain. Their happy hour is one of my favorites in Austin. My favorite is the Skinny Margatini. It’s the perfect mixture of tequila, agave nectar, and fresh squeezed lime served perfect with a browned sugar rim. If you order it at the bar or the patio, it is only $5!

Besides the stellar happy hour, Jasper’s food is to die for. The service and atmosphere make you truly feel VIP. Not only are they one of the best restaurants in Austin, but they cater as well. I can’t wait to have them cater at the Plantation House!

It was a typical weekend full of weddings at the Plantation House. We have always kept a running tally of the weddings we have hosted and we knew that the 700th was quickly approaching. As we were watching the bride and groom do their first dance it donned on us that this was our 699th wedding. Now to get to that number of weddings, I think, is quite an accomplishment. I knew in that moment that number 700 had to be special, memorable, and if possible, personal. The answer seemed to hit us all at once. We needed to have a vow renewal. This year my parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and it only made perfect sense to have them be the 700th wedding. Our minds immediately went into action as we were thinking of how to throw this together. We knew it had to be on Sunday (the next day) and we knew we had to do it right.

Sunday morning we woke up. We were exhausted from the 2 weddings we just completed that Friday and Saturday, but our excitement gave us the energy we needed. We salvaged flowers from the previous wedding and made bouquets. We saved a little piece of cake from the night before to display in the cake room. My parents decided to get ready separately so they could see each other for the first time at the ceremony. My husband, Tanner, prepared to perform the ceremony. My mom’s best friend, Millie was coming by to pick something up and she agreed to be our photographer. Here are some pictures of one of the best and sweetest weddings we’ve ever had.

The Bride

Matron of Honor

The Groom

She walked down to “Lady” by Kenny Rogers which was sung at their wedding 30 years ago.

“You complete me” were my dad’s vows to my mom.

It wouldn’t be complete without tons of laughter.

It’s a done deal

How we really are…

Toasting with their original flutes

First dance

Throwing the bouquet to their only guest and photographer

She got it!

Speech

Making a grand exit

Stopping to enjoy the petals

It was the perfect day and the best way to celebrate our 700th wedding! For more about the happy couple and their wedding 30 years ago, click here

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About Me

I've held many job titles in the past four years, searching for the one perfect job that would satisfy my love for whatever it was at the time. I've come to the conclusion that I have a love for many things such as music, fashion, beauty, and weddings. I now work and live in my family owned wedding venue, The Plantation House, where I get the satisfying task of using my creative side to the fullest.

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